BBC story line puts very real asbestos issue in the public eye

Dear Editors,

UKATA explains that asbestos is not just an old man’s problem

A recent episode of BBC’s Inspector George Gently put the very real, yet forgotten threat of asbestos into the public eye. The storyline featured a man fighting a losing battle against mesothelioma, whilst his wife was made to stand by and watch having already lost her only daughter to the terminal cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

The father worked in the factory, and his daughter played there regularly with her friends. Although the episode featured a number of sinister twists, the most disturbing twist was the modern day reality of this fictional family’s predicament.

Now that the dangers of asbestos are recognised, the substance is no longer used in new building materials; however a legacy still remains in many public and private buildings erected prior to the late 90s, including UK schools, hospitals and many of our own homes. The substance also continues to be the biggest workplace killer in the UK. Whilst it does not cause any harm if left undisturbed, asbestos can be fatal when materials containing it are disturbed or begin to degrade.

UKATA’s belief is that this story line will bring greater awareness of asbestos related diseases to the general public, who need to think twice when attempting to remove asbestos from their own property – and indeed the thousands of tradespeople, who try to remove the substance, daily, without the necessary training or awareness that asbestos may even be present.

UKATA is the leading authority for asbestos training provision in the United Kingdom. Tasked by the HSE in 2008 to manage the licensed asbestos training providers, UKATA has gone from strength to strength and now has more than 180 member organisations from all corners of the UK.

Media Enquiries:
Victoria Castelluccio, Marketing Officer
victoria.castelluccio@ukata.org.uk
01246 824437